Chess Puzzle #yVkUb — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; rooks a4/h1; bishop b2; knights c3/f7; pawns c4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; rooks d3/e8; bishop b4; knight f6; pawns a5/b7/c7/e4/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe4 — knight c3→e4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxe4 — knight f6→e4, captures knight. Opponent replies Kxd3 (king e2→d3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nc5+ — knight e4→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king d3→e2).
4. Best move: Nxa4 — knight c5→a4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Nxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2k1r3/1pp2Npp/5n2/p7/RbP1p3/2NrP3/1B2KPPP/7R w - - 1 20

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